Incontinence from a Fitness Lens

Postpartum incontinence is something that is experienced so commonly, that many women believe it's just a normal and inevitable result of childbirth; but common is NOT synonymous with normal, and having a baby does NOT mean you can never jump rope again without peeing yourself.

So, what do you do? The first step to rehabbing any injury or dysfunction should ALWAYS be an assessment.

The cause [and treatment] of your postpartum leakage may be completely different from your friend, and self-prescribing a treatment protocol (talking about you, Kegels) may end up worsening your issues. 

How does one assess the cause of their incontinence (or leakage), you ask? If you're willing and able, seek out the assistance of a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist (PT), Occupational Therapist (OT), or Holistic Pelvic Care (HPC) Practitioner who can perform an evaluation (often involving an internal exam). 

During an internal exam, a PT/OT can determine areas where scarring, tension, or weakness might be contributing to your symptoms, and help determine the proper exercise protocol & treatment to lead you on a path to Pelvic Floor health.

If you are unable or unwilling to see a professional, it can be beneficial to perform a self-exam and gain a better understanding of the functionality of your pelvic floor muscles.

Why is this a vital step in returning to fitness postpartum? Postpartum leakage is a sign of a deep core that isn’t functioning/coordinating optimally. If not rectified, something that may be easy to brush off now (like minor incontinence or a bit of pain during intercourse) could actually play a role in many issues and injuries down the road.

A weak pelvic floor may lead to compensation patterns that can wreak havoc on your body, or a tight pelvic floor may be a sign of inefficiencies elsewhere in the body that could use a little extra work.

Maybe these small issues won’t lead to bigger problems for you, but why take the chance? Set yourself up for health and fitness in the long run by giving the deepest part of your core the attention it deserves.

For any specific questions related to your postpartum physical health, comment below or email us at Kimberly@FemmeNatale.com.